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Newspaper Style, according to the Associated Press

Note: We don’t have time in this class to memorize the entire AP Stylebook. Perhaps it’s not necessary anyway. I assume you have a copy at hand. (If not, check the NDSU Varsity Mart, or Amazon.com.) You do, however, need to memorize the things editors see over and over, such as the material described below.

1. Time before date before place. Example: The speech will be 3 p.m. Thursday in Traill County Courthouse, Hillsboro. If the event takes place within the week, use just the day; otherwise use dates.

Note: the T-D-P standard helps you to remember all three are necessary when writing about future events. You’d be surprised at how many writers forget one of these: “The governor will offer a public forum Thursday at the local Stop-N-Go.” Like, I’m going to hang out all day at a convenience store waiting for him?

2. Time expressions: lower case with periods (no zeros). Examples: 5 p.m. 10 a.m. BUT noon (no 12). Midnight. If it’s not on the hour, use a colon, such as10:30 p.m.

3. Numbers. Generally, spell out one through nine, use numerals for the rest. Spell out numbers at the beginning of a sentence. Examples: He had five oranges. She sold 15 manuscripts this year. Twenty-five sparrows are at the feeder.

Exceptions:
Use numerals for all percentages; percent is one word, no symbol. Example: The grant has been reduced by 5 percent. For large numbers (millions, billions, trillions), use numerals and decimals, but write out amount. Examples: A $1.2 billion deficit. He collected 11 million sea shells. In large numbers less than 1 million, use commas after each three digits. Examples: 135,000; 1,275.

4. State names. When used alone spell out. Example: He comes from North Dakota, lucky guy. When used with city names, abbreviate according to the AP Stylebook. Examples: Minot, N.D. Hibbing, Minn. Rapid City, S.D. AP does not use postal abbreviations, although many other publications do. Names of large cities stand alone. Example: She goes to Minneapolis for the night life.

5. Prices. Use dollar sign, $. Drop zeros. Examples: $7 (not $7.00). $2. BUT $2.50 (if cents are used). Use numbers in all cases, including one through nine. Spell out cents if it stands alone. For instance: He gave me 60 cents to buy a Coke.

6. Months/years. When used with dates, abbreviate: Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec. Spell out the rest. We assume it’s this year, so no need to include it, unless it’s not this year. Examples: She was born Jan. 5, 1978. [Note: no “th.”] She married Irving Nern June 2, 1997, in Minot. The couple moved to Grafton in February.

7. Formal titles. See your AP Stylebook entry for details. In general, capitalize titles before the name (Mayor Bruce Furness) but don't capitalize after the name (John Rowell, city council member). Titles after names should be set off by commas. Without name, do not capitalize titles.

Examples: Frank Riggs, dean of arts, and sciences. The director also said Tuesday....
Spell out most titles before names. Examples: President George W. Bush (NOT Pres.); Superintendent Gary Nelson (NOT Sup.). BUT Gov. John Hoeven (NOT Governor); Sen. Byron Dorgan (NOT Senator); Rep. Earl Pomeroy (NOT Representative).

8. Courtesy titles (Mr., Mrs. Ms., Mrs.). Most mass media style publications don't use them, unless writing an obituary. Refer to people by their last names, unless they are small children, but be consistent; don’t flip between first and last name.

9. Addresses. Abbreviate St., Ave., N., S., E., W., if full address is used. Example: He moved to 211 15th St. S., Fargo. First through ninth streets and avenues are spelled out (First, Second, etc.); the rest are numerals with "th." BUT spell out street and avenue if used without full address. Example: Until last year, Larson lived on Vine Avenue.

On addresses, drop the comma between digits. Example: The fire was at 1607 10th St. N., Casselton, N.D. (NOT 1,607.)

10. U.S.: okay as an adjective (The U.S. Postal Service) but not as a noun. Example: He plans to arrive in the United States Sunday.

11. Academics. Use lower case for departments, except if proper nouns. Examples: The department of history. The economics department. The English department. "Dr." before a name (abbreviated) is normally used only for medical doctors, unless necessary to establish credentials. Do not use on second reference. Example: Robert Littlefield chaired a committee on academic improvement. Dr. John Thomas will run for re-election. Thomas says he's "still excited about Moorhead."

12. Days of the week. Capitalize, do not abbreviate. Example: Monday (not Mon.).